Method and Apparatus for Motivating Players to Return to a Casino Using Premiums

1. A gaming device, comprising: electronic memory; and a processing unit connected to said electronic memory; said processing unit in combination with said electronic memory operative to store electronic credits, receive a request to convert a predetermined value of stored electronic credits to coins, calculate a premium value based at least in part on said predetermined value, calculate a total value equal to said predetermined value plus said premium value; and output a ticket redeemable for the predetermined value before a first time and the premium value after the first time.

2. The gaming device of claim 1 wherein said processing unit in combination with said electronic memory are further operative to initiate the display of a message offering to store said total value in an electronic account until at least the first time in lieu of converting said predetermined value to coins prior to the first time.

3. The gaming device of claim 2 and further including means for displaying said message to a human player.

4. The gaming device of claim 2 and further comprising means for receiving a player identification and using said player identification in establishing said electronic account.